Summer of 85

A typically erratic endeavor from François Ozon, Summer of 85 follows Félix Lefebvre’s Alexis as he befriends and eventually falls of a handsome older boy (Benjamin Voisin’s David) – with the film unfolding in flashback after Alexis finds himself in some trouble in the wake of David’s death. Filmmaker Ozon, working from his own screenplay, delivers a decidedly familiar coming-of-age story that does, at least, boast some nice scenery and a selection of strong performances, with Lefebvre’s strong turn as the conflicted protagonist generally more compelling than the material deserves. The deliberately-paced midsection boasts few elements designed to lift the picture out of its progressively problematic doldrums, as Ozon rarely, if ever, brings anything to new or innovative to what’s become an exceedingly well-worn genre. And although the film admittedly goes in unexpected (and ludicrous) directions in its third act, including a fairly laughable climax, Summer of 85 has long-since cemented its place as an underwhelming drama that, while never dull, exactly, remains terminally uninvolving from start to finish.

** out of ****